Posts tagged with “ted”

February 18

Elizabeth Gilbert: A different way to think about creative genius
I like Elizabeth’s premise that we need a better way to think about creative genius: both for the doers and the would-be doers. I also like her anthropological breakdown of the word: ‘genius’ being a greek term which replaced the greek ‘daemon’, both of which basically mean ‘that mystical thing in the corner giving you all this creative power.’ Her point that is protects against both the artist’s narcissism and depression is a good one too, and I can see how that shifted with the man-centric post-Renaissance of being a genius, rather than having a genius in your corner.

However, what I do not agree with is the elevation of the ‘creative mystery’ to this otherworldly, godlike form. If we are going to truly get the creative spirit spreading and appreciated it should not be elevated like a midas touch, but brought down to earth as a simple and healthy process (providing it is well-integrated into your life). We all know that moments of supreme eureka can happen just as easily in scientific labs as in dingy studio apartments, so don’t think it doesn’t discount the fact that you don’t always know where your ideas come from. The fact is that you’re participating.

But I digress. Hers was an enjoyable talk.

02:27 PM | 0 Comments | Tags: , ,

Juan Enriquez shares mindboggling new science
Juan covers a lot of territory here, and he’s not without his dramatic delivery. But if anything you should take away to chew upon, it is probably his naming of the next evolutionary step of mankind (or not!):

Homo Evolutis: Hominids that take direct and deliberate control over the evolution of their species…and others.

02:21 PM | 0 Comments | Tags: , , , ,